First Edition: Jan. 22, 2024
January 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Federal Lawmakers Take First Steps Toward Oversight of $50 Billion in Opioid Settlements
By Aneri Pattani
January 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The four-page bill lists how states should spend settlement money, but it doesn’t specify consequences for flouting the rules or name who is in charge of monitoring compliance.
Rising Suicide Rate Among Hispanics Worries Community Leaders
By Andy Miller and Molly Castle Work
January 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The suicide rate for Hispanics in the United States has increased significantly over the past decade. The reasons are varied, say community leaders and mental health experts, citing factors such as language barriers, poverty, and a lack of bilingual mental health professionals.
Watch: Older Americans Say They Feel Stuck in Medicare Advantage Plans
By Sarah Jane Tribble
January 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
You’ve probably seen advertising about Medicare Advantage plans. KFF Health News’ Sarah Jane Tribble explains the pros and cons of this insurance option as enrollment in these plans increases.
What the Health Care Sector Was Selling at the J.P. Morgan Confab
By Molly Castle Work and Arthur Allen
January 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
When bankers and investors flocked to San Francisco for the largest gathering of health care industry investors, the buzz was all about artificial intelligence, the next hit weight-loss drug, and new opportunities to make money through nonprofit hospitals.
Líderes comunitarios alarmados por el aumento de la tasa de suicidios en hispanos
By Andy Miller and Molly Castle Work
January 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Incluso niños hispanos en edad escolar han intentado hacerse daño o han expresado pensamientos suicidas, indican investigaciones.
Journalist Talks Distribution of Opioid Funds — And the Companies Angling for a Piece
January 20, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News senior correspondent Aneri Pattani made the rounds on national and local media in the last two weeks to discuss the opioid settlement funds flowing to state and local governments and her reporting on the topic. Here’s a collection of her appearances.
Montana’s Effort to Expand Religious Exemptions to Vaccines Prompts Political Standoff
By Matt Volz
January 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The dispute between state lawmakers and health department officials could delay a broader package of child care licensing changes until 2025.
Climate Change Raises Pressure on Biden To Keep Workers Cooler
By Samantha Young
January 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
With climate change posing rising threats to human health, the Biden administration is drafting federal rules to protect construction crews, warehouse workers, delivery drivers and the rest of America’s workforce from extreme heat. The regulatory effort has been years in the making, and its fate is far from certain. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration […]
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on women’s health, mental health, “forever chemicals,” potatoes, and more.
Viewpoints: New Options Are Needed In The War On Antibiotic Resistance; Loneliness Has A Negative Impact
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss antibiotic resistance, American loneliness, educating kids about fentanyl, and more.
Researchers Find Protein Clues In Blood Samples Of Long Covid Sufferers
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The causes of long covid are proving elusive, but a possible breakthrough may have come via research into the changed mix of proteins in the blood of people who have long covid. A Senate HELP hearing heard patients and experts talking about the illness this week.
CMS Is Testing New Community-Based Mental Health Service Model
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The goal of the new behavioral health services system is to boost access and quality. Meanwhile in New Jersey, a new law lifts one barrier for providing online therapy in hopes of aiding the mental health crisis. Serious police failures during the Uvalde mass shooting are also in the news.
Biden-Harris Election Campaign Will Champion Abortion Rights
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign will highlight abortion rights in the lead up to the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade case, and warn that a Republican-led White House could try to enforce a national abortion ban.
To Tackle Financial Distress, Hospitals, Health Systems Are Turning To Mergers
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare looks into the phenomenon of rising health care mergers and acquisitions being driven by financial pressures on health providers in the aftermath of the pandemic. Separately, Stateline explains how private equity-backed hospitals can see cutbacks and closures.
Insurance Marketplace Sign-Ups In Missouri Are Up 35% Over Last Year
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Data on the record enrollments come from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Similarly, a record number of Marylanders signed up for coverage through the Maryland Health Connection, and ACA sign-ups during open enrollment in Connecticut are also at record highs.
Another Study Finds Zika Virus Could Be Used To Treat Cancer
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Researchers found that the deadly virus can be successfully used to tackle cancerous tissue in mice, and, stunningly, the treatment had very highly efficacy, and required just one injection. Separately, research into Zika infections in people found that reinfection is actually possible.
Morning Briefing for Friday, January 19, 2024
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Hospital bills, drug prices hiked, stopgap funding, long covid, mental health services, and more are in the news. Plus, your weekend reads.
Congress Passes Stopgap Bill That Funds Health Agencies Until March
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Funding for federal health care programs was extended until March 1 or March 8 by the temporary spending measure passed by the House and Senate Thursday, including HHS, FDA, VA, community health centers, special diabetes programs, some medical education programs, and more.
Drugmakers Raise Retail Prices On 775 Drugs Like Ozempic, Xolair, Shingrix
January 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Drugs and vaccines for weight loss, asthma, shingles, heart disease, osteoporosis, and other conditions were among the medications for which prices will be hiked the most. The price of a handful of drugs will be dropped including some insulin products and antidepressants.